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I'm seriously looking at buying a motorhome for me and my lovely wife and little 2 year old son to go off and enjoy the world around us. But what to buy for approx 20 to 25 euro secondhand?
Should i go for a hymer as i have benen told they are best?
should I import from germany? or buy from a dealer?
what are the best models for value for money?
what would be easiest to maintain myself?
how much do ferries charge for mtorhomes?
one other question - if you get one with air con is that just for the cab area or for the entire vehicle?
I'd been keen to know what you know - so please help. thanks in advance.
thanks,
niceirishfella.
______________________________________________________________ I\´m new to motorhomes, so please tell me what you know!
Welcome to MHF. YOur budget does not appear to leave you much scope and at best you might be able to purchase a Hymer badge.
Hymer are good but it is in the eye of the beholder that they are the best. Most German built m\homes appear to be a reasonable bet and also the French Rapido. Buying in Germany is probably around 20% cheaper than here but more hassle of course and LHD if you are happy with that.
I would imagine if you can maintain one type diesel engine then you should be able to maintain within reason all of them. But all these engines are quite reliable with the odd exception.
The tunnel charge between about £80 one way and anything up to nearly £300 in peak season and peak travel times one way. Ferries tend to be a little cheaper.
Cab air is really for the cab and needs the engine running to work but would probably cool the whole van depending how big the inside is. Roof air can be only 230volt and some more expensive ones, 230v and 12 v.
I think a lot depends on how much you're going to use it, and where. Can we presume weekends in Ireland and the occasional handful of journeys further afield?
More and more people are importing from Germany, and there's huge amounts of info on MHF about this. It seems like there's not too many problems with it. I would suggest you have a look at a few German dealer websites, to see what sort of van you could get for your money (I presume it's 20-25 thousand Euros you have to spend?
Hymers have a pretty good name, are well built, and last well. There are a good few high mileage Hymers around, still going strong.
Welcome niceirishfella. Hymer are certainly good if the layout you need for your family suits. However, if carefully looked after, lots of other makes may also fit the bill. Remember, it may be good value in euros but if the layout annoys you and it's too small or too big to drive comfortably then it may not be a good buy for you.
Cab air con does what it says and if the MH is smallish it will cool the habitation bit. Roof air con cools the habitation area. Ours will run when the engine is running, but is not much good for the driver and front seat passenger when travelling.
Ferry prices range so much it might be better for you to search the websites for discount ferry prices (try googling) or look for threads here. It so much depends on when, where and with what you travel!
What ever you do - go for it - it's great fun and so long as you more or less keep to a budget you will thoroughly enjoy the life - great for the youngster too.
______________________________________________________________ Sue
20/25,000 euro's will get you something really nice from Germany. Try cruising the german autotrader www.mobile.de, look in the wohnwagen section... you can change the language at the top right corner of the site.
There's plenty of advice on the site regarding importing mh's from Germany and its a lot easier than you first think. We have imported two now and saved thousands.
Hymers, as mentioned already, are the most popular, but many other brands including Euramobil, Frankia, Burstner etc... are just as good if not better. Its a case of finding one with the right layout and features for you.
Another good thing for you is try getting along to one of the MHF rallies or meets and come spend time with us (members) and have a look round different mh's to see what type would work for you. You'll be more than welcome.
If you manage to buy the ideal motorhome at the first attempt, you will be the first. Your first van should be cheap and cheerfull, just in case you don't like motorhoming. UK built vans resale better than European built except the expensive ones.
So ideally ( this is only my opinion ) a Swift/Bessecar/Autotrail, with low miles,FSH, 1 or 2 owners, diesel, private sale, and give it a go.
If you find a van like that, even after two years you would get most of your money back if you look after it, and there are vans about like that.
By then you will know exactly ( well almost ) what type of motorhome you want.
Good luck.
If you manage to buy the ideal motorhome at the first attempt, you will be the first. Your first van should be cheap and cheerfull, just in case you don't like motorhoming. UK built vans resale better than European built except the expensive ones.
Steersy im going to challenge you on your comments. European mh's are cheaper to buy, better built and resell fine, normally at a nice profit...
Older/cheaper Uk models are overpriced, in bad condition (due to our roads/salt/climate) and some are poorly built.
As i said, it was just my opinion, but after running (“Link removed from this post by moderators due to possible contravention of the site policy on advertising. Please contact a moderator if you have any queries.”) for the last 4 years, i have found that vans as i described are readily available and resell quick, British buyers like the Uk built style, they eventually aspire to Hymers and Rapido's but the best resale market in the £10 to 20k market is UK built models.
They are an ideal vehicle to start motorhoming, dealers and spares readily available.
I am suggesting " niceirishfella " starts carefully, and saves himself a lot of money in buying what he thinks is the perfect motorhome.
My first motorhome was a Talbot Highwayman, 1990, Talbot Diesel, 32k miles, one owner, FSH, £7,600, sold one year later with 38k on the clock for £8000, and if i had waited i would have got more, but i was happy, because it went to a good home. Second one, Swift Sundance, paid 16k£ sold after 6 month for 18,250, happier still, because it went to Brownhills.
Some European ones are better built, no doubt, but some come straight from the IKEA factory.
But as i say, just my opinion. Thats what these forums are about, iznit.
If you buy european in the UK, it is expensive. If you buy european from Germany there are massive savings to be had.
My first motorhome was a 22ft 1992 Euramobil 6 berth with all kinds of extra's, inverter system, solar panels, satellite dish... etc. I paid 9k for it, and that included paying a bloke to bring it back to the UK, getting it registered and MOT'd. Just under a year later I sold it for 12k, thats 3k profit and a years enjoyment.
Our current motorhome we also imported from Germany and we stand to make a substantial profit when we sell it over here.
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